A Black Rhinoceros calf with its mother (above left), part of the successful breeding program at Taronga, Dubbo. Black Rhinoceros
calves follow behind their mother for safety, which is the best way in woodlands as they range on savannah grasslands and in woodlands. Black Rhinoceros can suffer from Haemochromatosis, and eating roughage including sticks (above right) and branches helps absorb surplus
iron.
This litter of four male cubs were born 19 November 2016, being nine months old when we saw them playing. They were around 1.5
kilograms when born, and at nine months these cubs were around sixty kilograms.
One of a successful breeding program and the second calf born in a week, this Giraffe calf was less than a day old, and his mother
kept close to him by the far fence (above).
Giraffe bull (at right) with the mother and new calf in the background.
Blackbuck are very athletic, reaching speeds of up to eighty kilometres per hours in a sprint, and leaping high into the air. They come from India, Pakistan and Nepal. Males are dark brown to black, with a white underside and inner legs. Females
and juveniles are fawn to tan with the white markings. Males have spiral horns, and one horn can be seen above, silhouetted
against the black tree trunk to the left of the photo above. Males weigh between 20 and 57 kilograms.
The Greater One-horned Rhinoceros, or Indian Rhinoceros, is primarily found in north east India and Nepal. The species is considered
vulnerable. Greater One-horned Rhinoceros are the most aquatic of all Rhinoceros species, spending several hours each day in
the water during summer. Their sense of smell is acute, but visions poor. They can run at speeds of up to forty kilometres
per hour for short periods. Adults males average 2.2 tonnes weight. They have a pointed curled lip to assist browsing. Their sagging skin looks like they are wearing armour plating.